Role of Social Media in Building Interpersonal Relationships among Young People in the UK

This research project aims to identify the role of social media in building interpersonal relationships among young people in the UK. The report highlights the most likely used social media platform by young people to build their relationships. The methodology used is the quantitative method and the instrument is the questionnaire.

Quantitative Research
Methods for Social Scientists
(What is the role of Social Media for maintaining
Interpersonal Relationships among Young People in
the UK?)
1

ABSTRACT
The provided research project will undertake a detailed understanding of various roles
played by social media for building interpersonal relationships among the young people in the
UK. This report highlights about the most likely used social media platform by Young people to
build their relationships. In this report, different methodologies are used to gather and analyse
data. Some of the methods that are used are the deductive approach, survey strategy, positivism
approach. The methodology which is used by the researcher is the quantitative method and the
instrument is the Questionnaire. Investigator will choose a random sampling method to select the
samples from the young people of the UK.
2

Table of Contents
ABSTRACT....................................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
Overview of the topic..................................................................................................................4
Research rational.........................................................................................................................4
Research aim and objective.........................................................................................................4
Research question........................................................................................................................4
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................5
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY....................................................................................................5
Results..............................................................................................................................................6
Frequency distribution tables and charts.....................................................................................6
Chi-square test...........................................................................................................................19
DISCUSSION................................................................................................................................20
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................22
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................23
APPENDICES...............................................................................................................................24
Questionnaire.............................................................................................................................24
SPSS data output sheet..............................................................................................................25
3

INTRODUCTION
Overview of the topic
Social media is a digital platform that focuses on communication, interaction or sharing of
content with one individual with other. Social media is being used to connect with friends,
family or with society. In recent time social media play a very important role in the life of Young
people. With the help of this they can build their interpersonal relationship with effective manner
(Meyer, 2021).
Research rational
The major reason behind conducting the current investigation is to undertake as study on
the topic Role of social media in building interpersonal relationship among young people. The
existing research has great interest of me because it will help in achieving two vital objectives
that is personal and professional. With respect to the personal objective this investigation will
increase my knowledge about different method used for completing the report in systematic way.
on the other hand, in perspective of professional I will learn about various role played by social
media which help me to develop a professional career (Peruta and Shields, 2018).
Research aim and objective
Research aim:
The aim of this research is to identify the role of social media in the interpersonal
relationship among Young people of the United Kingdom.
Research Objectives:
 To increase basic understudying about the social media along with its types used by
Young people
 To examine the impact of social media on young people of the UK
 To determine the role of social media within the interpersonal relationship among Young
people of the United Kingdom
Research question
 What is the concept of social media and its types used by young people of the UK?
 How social media has impacted on young people of the UK?
 What are the effective roles of social media within the interpersonal relationship among
Young people of the United Kingdom?
4

LITERATURE REVIEW
As per the view of Pulido and et. al (2018), Social media is a collection of application which
helps users to communicate with people without any face to face interaction. Individual can
actively communicate and form relation with users without any face to face interaction. Social
media clearly improved many aspects of interpersonal relationship. Some of the social media
platform used by young people are Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook etc.
According to Abi-Jaoude, Naylor and Pignatiello (2020), social media has a positive impact
on young people as it helps them to build peer motivation to work productively in their life.
Many young people are inspired by the influencer and develop healthiest habits. With the help of
digital platform people are coming up and speaking about their thoughts and idea with society.
Introvert people get a platform were they can open up with the society without any face to face
communication.
As per the viewpoint of Shensa and et. al (2020), there are different role played by social
media in building interpersonal relationship. Some of them are increasing connection time where
young individual can talk to their friend and family while sitting far away. It also played a role
where young people perception and mind can be changed in positive direction without any in-
person communication (D’Arienzo, Boursier and Griffiths, 2019).
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research methodology section helps the researcher to identify, analyse and interpret data in
systematic manner. In current investigation researcher has adopt the positivism philosophy to
identify quantitative data. Deductive approach is used to test the theories based on numerical
information (Mukherjee, 2019). Investigator has selected survey research strategy to gather data
from mass population and the tool which is used to gather information is Questionnaire. Data
collection method will be primary because examiner wants fresh data directly from the
respondent. Probability sampling method has chosen to select samples from the wide young
population of UK. The sample size is 20 respondents that consist of 10 males and 10 females
(Bairagi and Munot, 2019).
5

Results
Frequency distribution tables and charts
Table: Descriptive statistics
Statistics
Do you think
that, Social
media is
important for
Young
people to
build
interpersonal
relationship
What is
your
Gender?
What
is the
Age?
What
are
some
adverse
impacts
caused
by use
of social
media
to
young
people
in the
UK?
What are
the
potential
solutions
that can
be
provided
to young
people
to avoid
adverse
impacts
of using
social
media?
As per
your
opinion
which
type of
social
media
platform
is
mostly
used by
young
people
As per
your
opinion,
does
social
media
impact
Young
people
of UK
According
to your
perspective,
what is the
major
impact of
social
media on
Young
people of
UK
Do you
think,
social
media has
helped
introvert
young
people to
share their
views and
opinion
without
any
hesitation?
What is the
main role of
social media
in building
the
interpersonal
relationship
among the
young
people of UK
N Valid 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
Missing 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mean 1.2500 1.50 1.75 3.05 3.10 2.5000 1.3000 2.1000 1.4000 2.5500
Median 1.0000 1.50 2.00 4.00 3.50 3.0000 1.0000 2.0000 1.0000 2.5000
Mode 1.00 1a 1 4 4 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 4.00
Std.
Deviation .44426 .513 .786 1.191 1.071 1.27733 .47016 1.07115 .50262 1.19097
Variance .197 .263 .618 1.418 1.147 1.632 .221 1.147 .253 1.418
a. Multiple modes exist. The smallest value is shown
Table 1;
Do you think that, Social media is important for Young people to build
interpersonal relationship
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative
Percent
Valid
Yes 15 75.0 75.0 75.0
No 5 25.0 25.0 100.0
Total 20 100.0 100.0
6

Table 2;
What is your Gender?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative
Percent
Valid
Male 10 50.0 50.0 50.0
Female 10 50.0 50.0 100.0
Total 20 100.0 100.0
Table 3;
What is the Age?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative
Percent
Valid
0-35 9 45.0 45.0 45.0
36-64 7 35.0 35.0 80.0
65 and above 4 20.0 20.0 100.0
Total 20 100.0 100.0
Table 4;
What are some adverse impacts caused by use of social media to young people in the UK?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative
Percent
Valid
Isolation 3 15.0 15.0 15.0
Anxiety and Depression 4 20.0 20.0 35.0
Fear of missing out 2 10.0 10.0 45.0
All of the above 11 55.0 55.0 100.0
Total 20 100.0 100.0
Table 5;
What are the potential solutions that can be provided to young people to avoid adverse impacts of using
social media?
7

Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative
Percent
Valid
Limits on time spend on social
media 2 10.0 10.0 10.0
Making inspiring connections 4 20.0 20.0 30.0
Knowing when it is the right time
of scrolling 4 20.0 20.0 50.0
All of the above 10 50.0 50.0 100.0
Total 20 100.0 100.0
Table 6;
As per your opinion which type of social media platform is mostly used by young
people
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative
Percent
Valid
Instagram 7 35.0 35.0 35.0
WhatsApp [phone]
Facebook 5 25.0 25.0 70.0
Twitter 6 30.0 30.0 100.0
Total 20 100.0 100.0
Table 7;
As per your opinion, does social media impact Young people of UK
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative
Percent
Valid
Yes 14 70.0 70.0 70.0
No 6 30.0 30.0 100.0
Total 20 100.0 100.0
Table 8;
According to your perspective, what is the major impact of social media on Young people of UK
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative
Percent
8

Valid
Building interpersonal
relationship 8 40.0 40.0 40.0
Influence their decision making 4 20.0 20.0 60.0
Platform for speaking up 6 30.0 30.0 90.0
Rumour spreading 2 10.0 10.0 100.0
Total 20 100.0 100.0
Table 9;
Do you think, social media has helped introvert young people to share their views
and opinion without any hesitation?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative
Percent
Valid
Yes 12 60.0 60.0 60.0
No 8 40.0 40.0 100.0
Total 20 100.0 100.0
Table 10;
What is the main role of social media in building the interpersonal relationship among the young people
of UK
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative
Percent
Valid
Enhancing communication
among people 5 25.0 25.0 25.0
Increasing connection time 5 25.0 25.0 50.0
Conveying own thoughts and
ideas to society 4 20.0 20.0 70.0
Changing perception and
adopting new things 6 30.0 30.0 100.0
Total 20 100.0 100.0
Bar Chart
9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

Chi-square test
Table 12;
What is your Gender? * What is the Age? Crosstabulation
Count
What is the Age? Total
0-35 36-64 65 and above
What is your Gender? Male 4 5 1 10
Female 5 2 3 10
Total 9 7 4 20
Table 13;
Chi-Square Tests
Value df Asymp. Sig. (2-
sided)
19

Pearson Chi-Square 2.397a 2 .302
Likelihood Ratio 2.486 2 .288
Linear-by-Linear Association .081 1 .776
N of Valid Cases 20
a. 6 cells (100.0%) have expected count less than 5. The minimum
expected count is 2.00.
Symmetric Measures
Value Approx. Sig.
Nominal by Nominal Phi .346 .302
Cramer's V .346 .302
N of Valid Cases 20
a. Not assuming the null hypothesis.
b. Using the asymptotic standard error assuming the null
hypothesis.
DISCUSSION
Theme 1: Social media is important for Young people to build interpersonal relationship
From the above information it is being analysed that out of 20 respondents 15 answered
that Yes social media is one of the important part of Young people to build inter personal
relationship with friends, family or society. The remaining 5 answered No that it is not necessary
that interpersonal relation in young people can be developed by social media platform.
Theme 2: Type of social media platform is mostly used by young people
With the assemble data it is discussed that 7 respondent says that most likely social media
platform used by young people is Instagram. 2 voted for WhatsApp, 5 feels that Facebook is one
of the platform used by young people to develop relation. The rest 6 answered that Twitter is
most likely used digital platform to communicate with other person.
Theme 3: Social media impact Young people of UK
From the above gathered data it is analysed that out of 20 employees 8 feel that the
positive impact of using social media platform by young people is Building interpersonal
relation. 4 answered it assist in inflecting their decision making power by more accurate manner,
6 individuals answered that it is one of the platform for people to speck about their thoughts and
idea and the rest 2 feel rumors are crated very frequently.
20

Theme 4: Major impact of social media on Young people of UK
From the above gathered data it is analysed that out of 20 employees 8 feel that the
positive impact of using social media platform by young people is Building interpersonal
relation. 4 answered it assist in inflecting their decision making power by more accurate manner,
6 individuals answered that it is one of the platform for people to speck about their thoughts and
idea and the rest 2 feel rumors are crated very frequently.
Theme 5: Social media has helped introvert young people to share their views and opinion
without any hesitation
With the accumulated piece of information 12 answered Yes that social media helped
introvert people a lot to share their views and opinion without any fear. Rest 8 answered that it
does not helped introvert people berceuse they still feel hesitated to come up with their thoughts.
Theme 6: Role of social media in building the interpersonal relationship among the young
people of UK
From the data gathered it is interpreted that out of 20 young people 5 says the major role
of digital platform is enhancing communication among people without any fear. 5 is of the view
it increased the communication time as people can talk anywhere any time. 4 participants
answered that it plays the role of convening thought without any hesitation and 6answerd it helps
in changing perception and adopting new things.
Theme 7: Gender
From the analysis of statistical table, it can be interpreted that out of the total respondents
i.e., 20 test included males and females on an equal composition.
Theme 8: Age
From the interpretation of provided table, it can be said that age constraints of the sample
size were being taken into consideration. Through the analysis, most of the respondents selected
was reported between the age group of 0-35.
Theme 9: Adverse impacts caused by use of social media to young people in the UK.
Through the analysis of presented table, it can be said that factors such as Isolation,
Anxiety and Depression and Fear of missing out contributes towards negative impacts of use of
social media to young people in the UK.
Theme 10: Potential solutions that can be provided to young people to avoid adverse impacts
of using social media
21

From the evaluation of given table, elements including Limits on time spend on social
media, making inspiring connections and Knowing when it is the right time of scrolling are the
potential solutions that can be provided to young people to avoid adverse impacts using social
media.
Theme 11: Chi-square test and phi/ Cramer’s V
Through the analysis of test performed it can be stated that close interrelationship
between age and gender variables was being taken into consideration. By interpretation of the
results it can be analysed that there exist no differences in mean value of male and female
variables of respondents taken into consideration for the given test.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it is concluded that there is an important role played by various social
media platform in building interpersonal relationship. Young people are able to maintain their
relation effectively as communication becomes easier for them. this help them to share their
views, adopt new things, enhance communication and many more. With the help of social media
interpersonal relationship is being built in an effective way.
22

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Abi-Jaoude, E., Naylor, K.T. and Pignatiello, A., 2020. Smartphones, social media use and youth
mental health. Cmaj,.192(6). pp.E136-E141.
Bairagi, V. and Munot, M.V. eds., 2019. Research methodology: A practical and scientific
approach. CRC Press.
D’Arienzo, M.C., Boursier, V. and Griffiths, M.D., 2019. Addiction to social media and
attachment styles: a systematic literature review. International Journal of Mental Health
and Addiction. 17(4). pp.1094-1118.
Meyer, M., 2021. Thus spoke the internet: Social media sociologists and the importance of
memeing in making meaning. Irish Journal of Sociology. 29(1). pp.118-123.
Mukherjee, S.P., 2019. A guide to research methodology: An overview of research problems,
tasks and methods. CRC Press.
Peruta, A. and Shields, A.B., 2018. Marketing your university on social media: a content analysis
of Facebook post types and formats. Journal of Marketing for Higher Education. 28(2).
pp.175-191.
Pulido, C.M., and et. al, 2018. Social impact in social media: A new method to evaluate the social
impact of research. PloS one. 13(8). p.e0203117.
Shensa, A., and et. al, 2020. Emotional support from social media and face-to-face relationships:
Associations with depression risk among young adults. Journal of affective
disorders. 260. pp.38-44.
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APPENDICES
Questionnaire
Q1) What is your Gender?
a) Male
b) Female
Q2) What is the Age?
a) 0-35
b) 36-64
c) 65 and above
Q3) Do you think that, Social media is important for Young people to build interpersonal
relationship?
a) Yes
b) No
Q4) As per your opinion which type of social media platform is mostly used by young people?
a) Instagram
b) WhatsApp
c) Facebook
d) Twitter
Q5) As per your opinion, does social media impact Young people of UK?
a) Yes
b) No
c) Maybe
Q6) According to your perspective, what is the major impact of social media on Young people
of UK?
a) Building interpersonal relationship
b) Influence their decision making
c) Platform for speaking up
d) Rumour spreading
Q7) Do you think, social media has helped introvert young people to share their views and
opinion without any hesitation?
a) Yes
24

b) No
Q8) What is the main role of social media in building the interpersonal relationship among the
young people of UK?
a) Enhancing communication among people
b) Increasing connection time
c) Conveying own thoughts and ideas to society
d) Changing perception and adopting new things
Q9) What are some adverse impacts caused by use of social media to young people in the UK?
a) Isolation
b) Anxiety and Depression
c) Fear of missing out
d) All of the above
Q10) What are the potential solutions that can be provided to young people to avoid adverse
impacts of using social media?
a) Limits on time spend on social media
b) Making inspiring connections
c) Knowing when it is the right time of scrolling
d) All of the above
SPSS data output sheet
25